INDIAN WELLS, Calif. — Once manager Jim Tracy resigned on Oct. 7, legitimately surprising the organization, the Rockies were determined to conduct a comprehensive search for their sixth manager.

Driving to Indian Wells from Burbank through I-5, 210, CA-111, it feels like the Rockies have reached the end of the earth in their pursuit. Having lived in Yuma, Ariz. for two years, I can say this area of California is close.

Rockies owner Dick Monfort arrived at the Hyatt Grand Champions Resort Tuesday night and immediately acted like he owned the place. Because he does. This sprawling hotel has a championship golf course, award-winning restaurants and enough private enclaves for the Rockies to decide on a manager this week.

The finalists are former Rockies player Walt Weiss and Diamondbacks third base coach Matt Williams. Both have strengths and weaknesses.

Weiss is currently coaching at the high school level, leading Regis Jesuit. Outsiders looking in see that as a clear sign that the Rockies have veered horribly off track. The reality is that Weiss worked in the organization for several years following his retirement, serving as a special assistant to general manager Dan O’Dowd. He scouted, was a minor-league instructor and coached during batting practice before the big league home games.

He stepped away because he didn’t want to be halfway involved. The Rockies wanted him to be on Clint Hurdle’s staff, but at that point Weiss wasn’t ready to travel full time again, preferring to spend more time with his family. He coached his boys, including Brody, who has signed to play college ball at Cal Santa-Barbara, and Bo, a promising freshman at Regis High.

Weiss has been preparing for this role his entire life. And having talked to him this week, he’s clearly committed in his pursuit of this job. He was a leader and steady presence in every clubhouse. He’s a hard-nose, no-nonsense guy. He also knows that if he gets the Rockies’ job that he will have to lean heavily on his coaching staff, particularly the pitching coach (That’s why Bob McClure makes complete sense in that role. He knows the challenge of pitching at altitude and has an open-mind to attacking it, not making it an excuse). Weiss knows McClure well. That would be a natural pairing.

My question for Weiss, as with any first-time manager, is how will he suffer the losses? On paper, Colorado is obviously in rebuilding mode. Weiss is one of the most quietly intense competitors I have ever met. As a manager, there is a sense of helplessness and frustration that can take hold when players don’t do their jobs or simply aren’t good enough. Weiss would have to balance his desire to win with the need to lead a young group of players through their next stage of development. And his inexperience will be an issue that can only be overcome with some success (Remember, he’s not inheriting teams like Robin Ventura and Mike Matheny took over in Chicago and St. Louis).

Matt Williams, as a player during the 2001 World Series. (Associated Press)

Williams’ candidacy is built on a strong point: he’s an outsider. There’s no question that a chunk of disenchanted Rockies’ fans understandably want change at all levels of the organization. They would certainly prefer a fresh set of eyes on the team’s problems from the field boss. Williams, who won a World Series crown in 2001 with the Diamondbacks, is known for his redline competitiveness. In many ways, he’s like Weiss. By all accounts, it appeared that the Rockies were leaning toward Weiss before Monday. That’s when Williams interviewed, capturing the front office’s attention with his preparedness and passion. Diamondbacks general manager Kevin Towers has pushed Williams to Rockies assistant GM Bill Geivett.

Like Weiss, Williams would need to work closely with the pitching coach. Again, McClure seems like a good fit. Having played at altitude, which Williams did, is different than managing at altitude. Like when your starter goes three innings the first game of a four-game series and you wonder if you are going to run out of relievers by the weekend.

Williams has more professional coaching experience than Weiss. But as a first job can he coexist and flourish with a front office where Geivett has an office in the clubhouse? I am sure he believes he can. What else would the candidates say? But theory and practicality are separate issues as Jim Tracy discovered last summer.

Entering their 21st season, the Rockies have not reached the end of the earth, but have come full circle. Both Weiss and Williams remind me a lot of Don Baylor’s hiring. Baylor had never managed. But his presence and leadership carried his candidacy.

In that way, Weiss and Williams are similar.

The question: Can either produce different results than the Rockies have experienced the last two seasons?

TO me ,the man that makes sense is WALT WEISS period.True Rockie fans should know this,and should be grateful a true professional is here(and he is one of our own) and will take us back to where we belong.TO THE TOP.Good luck Walt.

Frank Pappgeorgio

I agree Walt is the right choice but the managerial position is the least of the Rox issues.

Patrick, a third-generation Colorado native, is back for his second stint covering the Rockies. He first covered the team from 2005-2009, helping chronicle “Rocktober” in 2007 and also following the team’s playoff run in 2009.

Nick Groke has worked at The Denver Post since 1997, as a sports reporter, city reporter, entertainment writer and digital editor and producer, among other newsroom posts. He also writes regularly about boxing, soccer, MMA and NASCAR.